Arthrosis of the knee joint is often called the "disease of older people."According to statistics, most patients suffering from arthrosis are over 50 years old.
It is important to know what factors provoke the development of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the knee joint.Arthrosis affects the musculoskeletal system in men and women, but the provoking factors are slightly different.Find out more information about articular pathology.
The causes of the development of the disease
The destruction of the cartilage occurs with age -related changes, with a high load on the joints for a long time.Under the influence of negative factors, the cartilage of the cartilage abrasions, the volume of synovial fluid decreases, pain develops, the mobility of the affected limb is disrupted.
Degenerative-dystrophic changes occur against the background of various pathologies or when injuring the knee joint.In severe cases, the joint gap is completely closed, the patient cannot rely on the sore leg, endoprosthetics (installation of the artificial joint) is required.
Provoking factors:
- systemic pathologies;
- infectious diseases;
- injuries;
- overweight;
- constant loads on the lower limbs, heavy physical labor;
- hormonal changes in the menopause in women;
- Poor nutrition, deficiency of vitamins and trace elements.
Signs and symptoms
Arthrosis of the knee charter often develops after 55 years amid age -related changes in cartilage.The tissues of other organs are rarely involved in the pathological process of tissue, unlike arthritis, when the infection spreads into the tissues of the heart, nerve fibers, and epidermis.Arthrosis in the area of the knee joint is a protracted, more often, a sluggish process with a sufficiently long remission and exacerbation periods.
The main signs and symptoms of arthrosis of the knee joint:
- At an early stage, painful pain, the intensity of pain grows in a wave -like;
- Gradually, degenerative changes violate the mobility of the affected joint, in the morning the patient is difficult to bend and straighten the knee;
- With advanced pathologies, the cartilage is destroyed, the ability to walk is sharply limited;
- Lack of synovial fluid, severe friction of the articular heads, spinning certain elements provokes pain not only at load, but also without it.
Important!There is no active inflammatory process with arthrosis, but the destruction of cartilage fabric occurs day after day.During injury, infection often joins, inflammation develops.
Home treatment
How to treat arthrosis of the knee joint?At an early stage, articular pathology is well lend itself to therapy.In addition to pharmacy ointments and tablets, phytotherapists offer folk methods of treating arthrosis in the knee joint.It is impossible to replace drugs with phytos: the refusal of drug treatment will worsen the condition of the diseased joint, and provoke the further development of degenerative-dystrophic changes.It is possible to stop the destruction of cartilaginous tissue, accelerate the regeneration process only with integrated exposure.
At home, for the treatment of arthrosis, the patient takes medicines, uses traditional medicine prescriptions, makes self -massage and special exercises.The effect is enhanced by proper nutrition with the mandatory use of products that have a beneficial effect on the condition of the cartilage.
Medications
Non -steroidal anti -inflammatory compositions are mandatory in the treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint for the relief of pain during the destruction of cartilage.At home, drugs are used in the form of gels and tablets.It is important to strictly observe the daily dose, frequency of use, duration of treatment.
Information for patients!Tablets are more effective than ointments and gels.In severe cases of advanced arthrosis, a brightly exposed pain syndrome in a medical institution, intra-articular injections are carried out for the most effective effect on the affected area.
Chondroprotectors
With arthrosis, the cartilage is gradually destroyed.With high loads, improper nutrition, the absence of competent treatment, degenerative-dystrophic processes intensify.Chondroprotectors for arthrosis of the knee joint contain glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, hyaluronic acid.The drugs of this group stop or slow down the destruction of cartilage, improve blood circulation in the affected area, and normalize the production of synovial fluid.
The 4th generation chondroprotectors have not only a restorative, but also anti-inflammatory action.Medicines contain components that stop the inflammatory process when the infection penetrates into the synovial fluid.
Folk remedies and recipes
When swelling, use cold compresses; ointments and rubbish are suitable for removing pain.The healing effect is provided by therapeutic baths, taking herbal decoctions.The patient coordinates all actions on the use of herbal preparations with the attending physician.
Proven recipes for the treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint with folk remedies:
- Vaseline ointment with essential oils.Knowing the properties of valuable ethers will enhance the effect on the affected joint.Rosemary essential oil activates blood circulation, mint oil relieves pain, cools the affected area, lavender fights with inflammation.Per 100 g of cosmetic petroleum jelly is enough 6–7 drops of essential oil;
- Ointment of pork fat and tissue.The medicinal plant proved the effectiveness of various articular pathologies.Melt the fat (5 parts), add the crushed tissue (2 parts), boil for 5 minutes, cool.Keep a home ointment in the cold.Rub the mixture into the affected knee daily;
- Onion compress with ginger.Grind a small piece of ginger root, add onion juice until the gruel and a tablespoon of aloe juice are obtained.Apply the mass to the sore joint, wait half an hour, rinse;
- Honey wraps.You will need high -quality honey.Apply a bee product to the sore area.Cover with a cellophane and a warm scarf.Keep the compress for 2 hours.A good effect is given by a combination of sparse honey and aloe pulp in proportions 3: 1;
- gelatin compress.Wet gauze with warm water, fold in two layers, pour a tablespoon of gelatin crystals, cover the remaining gauze.Attach the bandage to the sore knee, fix it with a clean cloth or bandage.Keep the compress for 2 hours, spend “gelatin treatment” three times a week.A good effect gives an infusion of gelatin for taking inside with milk or water with the addition of honey.
Self -massage
Perform movements slowly, do not press on the sore knee much.The use of a special gel or massage oil will help increase the efficiency of the procedure.In the pharmacy, select an drug with painkillers, restoring properties.
Basic movements:
- Stroking.Process the skin clockwise and against it.After 1-2 minutes, a sensation of heat will appear inside the knee due to the activation of blood circulation;
- Massage the inner outer surface of the knee with the edge of the palm;
- The joint gently knead your fingers, make sure that there is no pain.
Medical physical education
The complete immobility of the problem knee joint is required only in a short period of time in acute recurrence of pathology.With arthrosis, movement is necessary - this principle of therapy is supported by many doctors.
The rehabilitation technique, exercises and gymnastics with arthrosis of the knee joint, promoting reasonable loads on the problem area, have earned many positive reviews.The articular gymnastics of the famous doctor is recommended for a light and moderate degree of arthrosis of the knee joint zone.The patient first performs a set of exercises under the guidance of an instructor.
With varying degrees of lesions of cartilage, a certain set of exercises is recommended.Excessive loads accelerate the destruction of cartilage, do not treat, but give the exact opposite effect.Only a rheumatologist, an exercise therapy or an orthopedist cabinet will offer a complex for independent classes taking into account the characteristics of the disease in a particular patient.
To prevent arthrosis in the knee joint area, monitor the weight, control the hormonal background after 40 years, avoid frequent lifting weights, let's rest your feet.Proper nutrition, motor activity, attention to the health of the musculoskeletal system, protecting the limbs from injuries and overloads will reduce the risk of arthrosis.At the first symptoms of articular pathology, see a doctor, do not wait until the cartilage is completely collapsed, total endoprosthetics will be needed.In the treatment of the disease at home, consult a doctor.